Essendon Gazette 1 July 1915

OUR SOLDIERS
 The following are extracts from a letter written by Private W. Forde, from Mena Camp. to his mother, at  Essendon:—He expressed pleasure at receiving the "Gazette," and to learn the Essendon news. He was much struck on arrival in Egypt at seeing the people in their  flowing robes, and the mules, etc, just as in Biblical times. He describes the wonders of Egypt, and his excursions in exploring the pyramids. He found human skulls and pottery, which must be of great age, and the mummies were very interesting. Private Forde and his companion climbed the pyramid and engraved their names on the stone. They found climbing down much harder than the ascent. They came to the entrance, and with the assistance of a guide explored the inside.

The following are extracts from letters from Private W. Forde, of Essendon:-

He describes the life in the trenches, and how it is often necessary, when a shell bursts and fills the trenches, to dig the soldiers out from beneath the debris. One little incident described by Private Forde shows how lightly the boys value their lives. A bombardment by the Jack Johnsons* was in progress, and a piece of bursting shell struck a corporal's rifle, smashing it.   This loss of the rifle was a great blow to the soldier, who danced about, yelling out, "Oh, my rifle! Oh, my rifle! "  

Private Forde was on duty at a sniper's post on one occasion, and describes the position as one not large enough to swing a cat in, with a hole about a foot square, with wire netting and an  iron plate with a loop hole. There were three soldiers in this place. Forde was armed with a six-chambered revolver, and the others had short snipers' rifles. They had to keep a strict watch for anything moving about, and were not allowed to take their eyes from the holes for a second.   This proved a great strain on the eyes, and the hands got cramped through holding the firearms. Private Forde had rather a novel experience while on sniper's duty. He had his eyes fixed on the loophole and his chin resting on a ledge, when he saw an object move towards him, coming right up to his mouth. He could not make a noise, so all he could do was to blow. This he did, and the object, which proved to be a mouse scampered away.

After being for 19 days without a wash, Forde, at length was able to get to the beach. He started to disrobe, and had got one boot and one putty off, When a shell landed in the vicinity. He got a bit dubious, and when No. 2 quickly followed, that settled it. He did not wait to put his boot on; but got for cover as fast as possible. While at the Convalescent Camp at Mudros, Private Forde witnessed the incineration of a couple of Sikhs. The operation, which was weird, yet interesting, as described by the above soldier, was as follows:--  Logs of wood were laid on the ground, the bodies were placed on top, and then more logs were put on the bodies; and the whole pile saturated with kerosene and lighted.

The very interesting event of Lord Kitchener's visit to Lemnos was witnessed by Private Forde, while at that place. The War Lord inspected the Australian camp, which presented a great sight. As soon as Lord Kitchener got to the saluting base, the bugle sounded, and the whole of the First Australian Division and New Zealand Army Corps presented arms. He inspected them, and they closed in, when Lord Kitchener briefly addressed them in the following words:-"The King is proud of you, England is proud of you, the people in Australia are proud of you, and I am proud of you. You have done well." Private Forde describes Lord Kitchener as a big square-shouldered, man, with grey eyes that seemed to pierce through a person.   Private Forde writes of his voyage, after the evacuation, on the "Empress of Britain," and of the journey to Tel el Kebir.

OUR SOLDIERS. (1916, March 23). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 4 Edition: Morning.. Retrieved January 27, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74592368
*Jack Johnson (1878-1946) was a famous American boxer whose nickname was ‘The Big Smoke’. Shells that gave off a dense black smoke when they exploded thus were dubbed ‘Jack Johnsons’. (Source: Glossary of Slang)

Mrs. G. J. Beattie, of 53 Collins street, Essendon, has received a letter from her son, W. Forde, in which he states he has been promoted to the rank of Corporal.

ROLL OF HONOUR. (1917, August 9). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 5 Edition: Morning. Retrieved May 22, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74603356